SRC-SLL S.B. 1518 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1518
By: Truan
International Relations, Trade & Technology
4-1-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas does not have an entity dedicated to assist partnerships
between private and public entities seeking to develop or disseminate high
technology products or concepts.  This bill will create a Texas High
Technology Partnership Center at the Geo-Technology Research Institute. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1518 creates a Texas High Technology Partnership Center
at the Geo-Technology Research Institute. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 149, Education Code, by adding Section 149.006,
as follows: 

Sec.  149.006.  HIGH TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP CENTER.  Requires the
GeoTechnology Research Institute (institute) to establish and operate a
Texas High Technology Partnership Center (center).  Requires the operating
budget, staffing, and activities of the center to be approved by the board
of directors of the center.  Sets forth the purpose of the center.
Requires the advisory committee on science and technology (committee), if
the governor appoints a committee, to also serve as an advisory committee
to the center. Authorizes the advisory committee to suggest to the center
areas that private and public high technology partnerships should pursue
and to be asked by the center to review or evaluate proposals submitted to
the center.  Authorizes the institute to accept funding for the center
under Section 149.005.  Authorizes the center to use funds, unless
otherwise restricted, to award grants or funding to private and public
partnerships or to provide matching funds to a private and public
partnership.  Sets forth regulations for the awarding of grants or funds
to private and public partnerships.  Provides that the purchasing
requirements for goods and services of the General Services Commission,
including Subtitle D, Title 10, Government Code, do not apply to the
purchase of goods or services by the center under this section. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.